Ben Jerry's Double Dip: How to Run a Values Led Business and Make Money Too

by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield

Book Overview

Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc., has done more than win the tastebuds of America -- it has earned the admiration of Wall Street and established a model for business owners and employees eager to earn profits without compromising their principles. In Ben & Jerry's Double-Dip, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield offer the ultimate insider's guide to creating a values-led business that makes money while benefiting the entire community. Using examples from their...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684838559
• ISBN13: 9780684838557
• Release Date: May 1998
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.91 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Great inspiration seeking book

This is one of few books that I read cover to cover, and going to read it again in the next few months to remind myself and my business that there is more than just making money in life - its about making the world a better place to live for. Although it doesn't contain any recipe for ice-creams (wasn't looking for one), it does contain the recipe for a successful business model built on a socially responsible organization that grew into a giant franchise all over the world - from a gas station and a mere 4 grands. GREAT role model for those going into business as well as those already in business. Great resource annex at the back, from suppliers to other valued-led business. I live in Singapore, but if I have the chance, I will want to visit Vermont when my business takes off. Since this book was a pre-Unilever take-over publication, it did not mention about the business model changes after that. The world is getting messy - war, poverty, madness, scandals and terror, this book injects humanity into us, it gives me comfort when I go to sleep at night knowing that there are still hope and greatness in most of us. I give it 5 stars.

enjoyable portrayal of the "other" side of big business

great book for those who HATE big business and its "selfishness". Although the book, I think, is poorly written at times, it is always very interesting as it offers a perspective one NEVER hears about in the business section of the newspaper or in business/management books. More execs should read this and thing long and hard about their "social mission", as well as their strategies. The social effort seems to have worked well for B & J.

Great story of a different kind of company

Here is the story of how two guys built a company that 1) Makes money, and 2) has a social conscience. It details the dilemna's, decisions, and trade-offs that Ben and Jerry's had to make between the myriad of forces that regularly tug at the company because of its mission, and the realities of the marketplace. For example, it shows how B & J dealt with their brownie supplier in inner city New York when the supplier couldn't handle the capacity and quality that B & J required.Very inspirational AND very pragmatic!

Great Guys, Great Company

I listened to this book on audiotape. Ben and Jerry discuss how the idea of an Ice Cream Shop came about, how it almost didn't happen, then how it became a growing successful business. They tell the business side as well as the human side of their venture, with actual stories, from both points of view. They stressed the importance of running a company that was fun to work at, that cared about the employees, and gave back to the community. Together they explain what a values lead company is all about, and why employees want to be a part of their team. Then they discuss how they and other values lead companies work together to help charitable causes and why it is so important to them. I was fascinated with their sincere ongoing dedication to charitable causes and their devotion to employee satisfaction. This was a great book, very inspiring from the business point of view and heart warming as well.